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drain plug bolt size 3000 bt7

tri_carb_healey

Senior Member
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I just ordered an impact wrench and am in the process of ordering all the sockets necessary and i wanted to know what socket fits the oil drain plug? none of the sockets i currently have are big enough. any help would be appreciated thanks guys!!
 
I wouldn't use an impact wrench for this. You'll have oil draining out all over your wrench. It's easy enough to loosen the plug with a adjustable wrench and unscrew by hand. You also don't want to over tighten. Impact wrenches are great for times when you have a lot of large bolts to loosen or tighten. The set up time makes them Impractical for one off jobs like a drain plug.
Also, you should get a set of impact six point sockets for use with the impact wrench. The standard 12 point are not robust enough for impacts.
 
Agree with Tim. Removing the plug with an impact wrench is OK but will create a mess. Installing with an impact wrench risks stripping the threads. I love my impact wrenches but don't use them here.

Marv J
 
Everybody is missing the point ... the man is getting a NEW POWER TOOL! Everything he owns is going to be 'impacted.' He'll need sockets for milk jug caps and pickle jar lids and door knobs, among other things.

On my BJ8, IIRC, a 1-1/16" socket is too small and a 1-1/8" is too big (but I use it anyway). The plug is probably a Whitworth or some other oddball. Agree an impact is overkill, but I think it's a good idea to anneal the copper washer before reuse (or use a new one).
 
the bolt is really stuck i couldn't get it out!! Now's my excuse to get that impact wrench i've always wanted!! I promise not to use it to put the plug back on!! but i need a proper size for this plug so 1-1/8 will do?
 
OK, I went out on my cold garage floor and double-checked; a 1-1/16" is too small, and a 1-1/8" (twelve-point) socket fits but is sloppy. I checked--best I could--with calipers and it looks to be a bit less than 1-1/8" across flats. The correct size may be 1-3/32", but I think it'd be hard to find that size impact socket.

I use the 1-1/8" with a half-inch ratchet; I think if you used one with an impact wrench you'd run a risk of rounding the shoulders of the plug (but if the plug is torqued-on you may have to give it a try).
 
Hilarious comment, Bob, re the POWER TOOL! Don’t forget the socket for non-screw beer bottles!

FWIW - Moss sells a magnetic drain plug (I have one, not installed yet) - it's exactly 1-1/8" across flats.
 
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